Elderly Tennessee couple accused of raping child family members for years

MEMPHIS, Tenn. (WREG) — A Tipton County couple has been arrested on charges related to child rape, sexual battery and incest.

John Henley, 70, and Dava Henley, 69, are charged together with two counts of rape of a child, four counts of aggravated sexual battery and two counts of incest. The crimes occurred between 2012 and 2016, according to a grand jury indictment.

John Henley is charged separately with raping a child between 2006 and 2009.

In some cases, the indictment said the couple would force a young boy to engage in sexual activity with a young girl.

Both alleged victims are family members.

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Elderly couple accused of raping child family members for years

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Elderly couple accused of raping child family members for years

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"Kids are just such a young age, not knowing any different, thinking that, ‘Hey, life’s supposed to be this way.’ Well, it’s not," said one of the victims' relatives, who WREG isn't identifying in order to protect the victims' identity. "You know, being taught certain things and, you know, what have you, you know, and thinking that it’s right when it’s not,"

The relative said he first learned of the abuse two years ago from the victims' mother.

He said some of it took place at a home on Matthews Road, north of Millington.